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Full size hockey field for Providence Stadium
Asphalt Car Park among long-term plans
By Sean Devers
“Talks have already been held with the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) and they should get back to us after the World Cup to formalize plans to develop a full size Hockey field near the North-Western to the Stadium.” So says General Manager of the Guyana National Stadium Anthony Xavier as he updated Kaieteur Sports on plans to upgrade the basically Cricket facility into a ‘true’ sports venue.
Xavier disclosed that everything is in place to convert a piece of land just inside the Stadium opposite the Car Park into a Hockey field adding that the project will entail moving a fence 60 feet back.
Xavier wants to maximise the use of the Stadium since he says once a venue is being constantly utilized it is easier to maintain and generates revenue to pay for that maintenance.
The Former Government Minister says his vision for the Stadium, which was constructed for the 2007 Cricket World Cup through a grant and a loan from the Indian Government, includes transforming the internal Car Parking area into a huge tarmac with Volleyball, Basketball, Netball and Lawn Tennis Courts.
“In addition to cricket we have had International Football at the Stadium and since the entire Stadium is so large, the scope for upgrading the facility is great. While money is always a key factor in turning plans into reality, I am hoping we can do little projects at a time and the long-term plan is to transform this place into a multi-purpose sports venue,” Xavier said.
He said Dr Frank Anthony is aware of the projected cost of making the entire internal car Park a tarmac and added that the cost is very prohibitive at this time for the Government who control the Stadium.
“If we can get going with making the internal car park area a tarmac, we could also make money down the road and give several sporting bodies more opportunities. I am also not very keen on having the really big concerts on the actual ground since the vibrations from the sound equipment could hamper the drainage system,” he said.
The drainage system at Providence is arguable the best in the region and Xavier says that a local cycling club has also spoken with him with a view of using the internal road at the Stadium for racing events.
“I have to get a small part of that road resurfaced and a few speed humps removed and we could have cycle racing here,” he said.
Dr Anthony told Kaieteur Sports that he supports the idea of making the internal car park a tarmac area but said that the cost is the main problem and will have to be a part of the Stadium’s long term plans.
The external Car Park, to the North of the Stadium between the Princes’ Hotel and the Stadium is also a cause for major concern for parking at big events at the Stadium but Xavier says that the cost to put asphalt there is much higher than to do the internal parking area.
It is understood that the estimated cost to make the internal parking area into a huge tarmac is $80 million. The slushy condition of the external Car Park when it rains is a huge headache for drivers since mud and ‘red sand’ had been used for the surface.
Xavier explained that the CDC is assisting with the clearing of the area and the cleaning of the drains but while putting asphalt is the best option it is too costly at present.
He said because it is a car parking facility too much sand cannot be used since vehicles would get stuck in the sand.
“We are all proud Guyanese and of course we are aware that image is important especially when overseas journalists come here to cover cricket and it rains and the place looks muddy. I can tell you that we are working hard to find ways to improve the Stadium and its environs and while the availability of funds is a crucial factor, plenty of discussions are taking place behind the scenes to make the Providence Stadium the best it could be,” Xavier said.
He added that he is hoping that soon the Stands will all have names of former great Guyanese cricketers instead of being called the Red, Green or Orange stand. He added that naming the Media Centre after a top Guyanese journalist or Broadcaster has also been discussed.
Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, Guyana’s most illustrious and experienced cricket commentator should be an automatic choice of name of the Media Centre.
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